A WOMAN who starved two horses to death has avoided jail.

Tracey Davis, 49, has been banned from keeping horses for 20 years after admitting neglecting ex-racehorses Pumpkin and Hal when she appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Friday (May 11).

Davis, of Ballhurst, Bromyard, was warned about the condition of one of the horses but failed to listen to their advice.

She admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the horses between October 14 and November 14 last year and also admitted failing to meet their needs between March 14 and November 14 last year by not adequately worming them.

Hal, 18, formerly known as ‘He’s a Leader’, collapsed after he was recovered by the RSPCA and the decision was made to put him down after vets could not get him to stand.

Five-year-old Pumpkin, formerly known as ‘Buds Bruvver’, collapsed from damage caused by redworm and was also put down – despite putting up a good fight in recovery.

Following an anonymous call from a member of the public, the RSPCA, vets and police found the horses in extremely poor condition and were removed.

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, who investigated, said: “To let these horses get into such a shocking state is inexcusable.

“Both horses were extremely thin and undernourished and had simply been left to suffer without care for their welfare.

“Thoroughbreds are not an easy horse to keep, yet are unfortunately too easy to pick up for little to no money and sadly therefore often find themselves in the hands of those who are completely inexperienced or unequipped in dealing with their needs.”

Davis was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and pay £614 in costs.

A seizure order has also been put in place for the remaining five horses owned by Davis, in the event she fails to re-home them in the 21 days the court has allowed her.